Just in: Esa-Pekka Salonen has been awarded Northwestern University’s Michael Ludwig Nemmers Prize in Musical Composition. The award includes a whopping $100,000 cash prize, as well as a performance by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and a four-week residency.
Mr. Salonen responds:
It is with great pride and appreciation that I accept the Nemmers Prize this year The Chicago Symphony Orchestra has long been a musical home away from home for me, and I look forward to developing a relationship with the Northwestern students and faculty. The possibilities at educational institutions are always intriguing, but the Bienen School’s special amalgam of creativity and merit makes this opportunity even more exciting.
The coveted prize has been previously awarded to John Adams, Oliver Knussen, Kaija Saariaho, John Luther Adams, and Aaron Jay Kernis.
Congratulations to Mr. Salonen!
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Readers might recall, Esa-Pekka Salonen also won a $100,000 Grawemeyer award in 2012 for his violin concerto.
“ess’-uh peck’-uh sall’-oh nen” oh my…
Michael Vincent